Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has officially launched its 2025 Book Week celebrations (August 11–15) with the release of five new titles in its When I Grow Up reader series, aimed at inspiring children to dream about future careers.
This year’s theme, “My Future Career – When I Grow Up I Want to Be a…”, introduces young readers to local professionals through engaging stories and role play activities at BbP’s learning centres across Papua New Guinea.
The five new titles launched are:
– When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Chef – featuring Chef Julian Henao (The Locker Room Café & Bar)
– When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Police Officer – featuring the Royal PNG Constabulary
– When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Project Manager – featuring Hebou Constructions
– When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Production Manager – featuring Monier Ltd
– When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Mechanic – featuring Ela Motors
The week opened with the launch of the Chef reader, with children from BbP’s UPNG Library Learning Centre role-playing as chefs in a hands-on cooking session led by Chef Julz. The session promoted healthy eating and nutrition education using local produce.
BbP Founder Anne-Sophie Hermann highlighted the program’s goal of linking literacy with real-life aspirations, saying, “We want children to dream big and understand how school opens doors to exciting futures.”
The readers were developed with the support of corporate partners and edited in collaboration with Australian publisher Maryann Ballantyne of Wild Dog Books. Printing and shipping were sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation.
Transport for student excursions during Book Week was provided by Budget Rent-A-Car and Black Swan International.